A support group for mothers experiencing the loss of a child. The death of our children at any age, from any circumstance is indeed one of the cruelest blows life has to offer. The journey through grief is long, dark, difficult and painful. But know that you will smile and find joy again; you will never forget your child, he or she will be in your heart and memories for as long as you live.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

To My Dearest Family - Poem

TO MY DEAREST FAMILY:

Some things I'd like to saybut first of all to let you knowthat I arrived okay

I'm writing this from Heavenwhere I dwell with God abovewhere there's no more tearsor sadness there, is just eternal love

Please do not be unhappyjust because I'm out of sightremember that I'm with youevery morning, noon and night

That day I had to leave youwhen my life on Earth was throughGod picked me up and hugged meand He said I welcome you

It's good to have you back againyou were missed while you were goneas for your dearest familythey'll be here later on

I need you here so badlyas part of My big planthere's so much that we have to doto help our mortal man

Then God gave me a list of thingsHe wished for me to doand foremost on that list of mineis to watch and care for you

And I will be beside youevery day and week and yearand when you're sad, I'm standing thereto wipe away the tear

And when you lie in bed at nightthe days chores put to flightGod and I are closest to youin the middle of the night

When you think of my life on Earthand all those loving yearsbecause you're only humanthey are bound to bring you tears

But do not be afraid to cryit does relieve the painremember there would be no flowersunless there was some rain

I wish that I could tell youof all that God has plannedbut if I were to tell youyou wouldn't understand

But one thing is for certainthough my life on Earth is o'reI am closer to you nowthan I ever was before

And to my very many friendstrust God knows what is bestI'm still not far away from youI'm just beyond the crest

There are rocky roads ahead of youand many hills to climbbut together we can do ittaking one day at a time

It was always my philosophyand I'd like it for you toothat as you give unto the Worldso the World will give to you

If you can help somebodywho is in sorrow or in painthen you can say to God at nightmy day was not in vain

And now I am contentedthat my life it was worthwhileknowing as I passed along the wayI made somebody smile

So if you meet somebodywho is down and feeling lowjust lend a hand to pick him upas on your way you go

When you are walking down the streetand you've got me on your mindI'm walking in your footstepsonly half a step behind

And when you feel the gentle breezeor the wind upon your facethat's me giving you a great big hugor just a soft embrace

And when it's time for you to gofrom that body to be freeremember you're not goingyou are coming here to me

And I will always love youfrom that land way up aboveWill be in touch again soonP.S. God sends His Love

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SPECIAL NOTICES...

Join us at "Open Arms for Empty Hearts". Our goal is to take up the gauntlet begun by Joyce Floyd, founder of Journey from Mourning, now that she is moving on to other endeavors and continue with the idea of Mom's helping Mom's.

We meet the 2nd & 4th Thursday mornings each month at the Lake Havasu City Aquatic Center from 10am-12N.

Our meetings are open to all Mom's, new and old that wish to participate in celebrating their child's life and memories. As you all know, the loss of a child is probably the most painful loss one can suffer. Only those who have experienced that loss can offer their support and comfort to others. Our meetings are an open forum, members taking turns hosting the meetings, bringing their own experiences and knowledge to others.

We are also pleased to introduce the Facebook page for "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" and would encourage all moms to go to the site and feel free to post any comments, suggestions or ideas - again our Facebook page is another work in progress...

We are all looking forward to seeing all of you again and welcoming new members. Registration forms are available at all meetings so we have up-to-date contact information. We hope you will pass the word, and reach out to moms who have lost children... If you have any questions or suggestions you can also contact us at "openarmsforemptyhearts@gmail.com"

Charlyne, Debbie, Janet & Sharon

For the Newly Bereaved

In the early minutes, days, weeks, months and even years of grief, we find ourselves in an all consuming grief and pain beyond description. We find it difficult to carry on our everyday lives or to think of little except our children's death. Even our once wonderfully happy memories, shared with our children while they lived, now bring us pain for a time.

Bereaved parents do not "get over" the death of our children nor "snap out of it" as the outside world seems to think we can and should. The death of our children is not an illness or a disease from which we recover. It is a life altering change with which we must learn to live.

With the death of our children we are forced to do the "impossible"; build a new life and discover a "new normal" for ourselves and our families in a world that no longer includes our beloved children. It is important for newly bereaved parents to know that they will experience a wide and often frightening variety of intense feelings after the death of our children.

It is also important for newly bereaved parents to understand and know that all of the feelings you experience are very natural and normal under the circumstances. Equally important for you to know and believe is that as much as you cannot possibly believe it, you will not always feel this powerful and all consuming grief.

But right now you must follow the instincts of your soul and allow your bodies and hearts to grieve. The grief resulting from your child's death cannot be skirted over, around or under. You must go through it in order to come out on the other side.

Be gentle and patient with yourself and your family. Allow yourself to cry, to grieve, and to retell your children's story as often as needed and for as long as you need to.

Eventually, you will smile and find joy again. You will never forget your child; he or she will be with you in your heart and memories for as long as you live.

Special Requests for Prayers:

Sometimes, each of us needs special prayers to help us get through life's challenges and we may not know where to begin or how to ask for help. Together, as sisters in grief, our united prayers can have tremendous power - won't you join with us to pray for:

May 29th, 2013:

Janet Langeberg - underwent open heart surgery (4 bypasses) yesterday morning and her sister Rosie is keeping Joyce updated - Janet's surgery was a success and she is doing well (but still in ICU) We hope you will join us in keeping her in your thoughts and prayers..and we'll keep you updated on her progress..

For those of you who don't know (and don't say I told you) Janet is the secret angel who remembers us and our children on all the special days... so i'm hoping we can all repay her kindness with a few greetings as she recuperates...our. Please continue to pray for her, and we'll keep you updated with her progress.

(Janets address: 3717 Tahitian Dr., LHC, AZ 86406)

Weeping may last for the night, but joy comes with the morning. ~ Psalms 30:5

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Who & What We Are All About

Our mission, since October 2001, is to offer comfort, hope and encouragement to mothers who have suffered the death of a child. There are no requirements as to the age of the mother, age of the child, or the cause of death.

If you have any questions or suggestions you can also contact us at "openarmsforemptyhearts@gmail.com"

We may not be able to make your pain go away, but as Moms, we can help you with a safe place to work through the grief process.

Note from Our Founder, Joyce Floyd: I am a bereaved mother who lost my youngest daughter Peggy in August of 1984, from injuries following an automobile accident; Peggy was only 24. I spent the first years asking God "Why Me?" "Why my Child?" When I came to a place of peace, I realized there was a need in my community for me to "be there" for others on the same journey. After completing the Hospice training program, the Interagency program and the Umbrella Ministries Grief Share training session, I began the support group: The Journey from Mourning to Joy, a non-denominational group.

In February 2014, when our Founder "retired", our name was changed to "Open Arms for Empty Hearts" continuing the focus of mom's helping other grieving moms in our community.

Note from Cherie Houston ~ Creator (& maintainer) of this Blog

I created and continue to maintain this blog since November 1st 2009, in memory of my son Robert "Bobby" Woodwho died unexpectedly, taking his own life, on Saturday evening, September 19, 2009. Bobby was only 36 yrs. young, leaving his wife of 11 years and 2 young boys, 5 & 6 ~ his 2 brothers and 2 step-brothers, a large immediate and extended family and countless friends who loved him dearly.

Sadly I also lost 2 little girls, Randee Mariein 3/1971 and Robin in 7/1972, so this blog is and will continue to be a tribute to my three beloved children who are no longer with us physically and to all of your children ~ all of whom have gone much too soon.

I decided to create and maintain this blog after attending a few of "The Journey from Mourning to Joy" support meetings hosted by Joyce Floyd in Lake Havasu, AZ ~ our home 7+ months of the year. This blog is my way of thanking each and every member of that group, for their continued kindness, comfort and support which continue to help me on my journey, since my son Bobby's death.

I hope the information found here might help any mom whose child has died, in some small way ~ no matter the childs age or cause of their death, for all moms, and those who care about those moms, we hope this Blog helps bring peace on this journey....

Know that you are not alone, and as the group so sweetly said to me when I arrived that first morning,